If you didn't know August 17th is Marcus Garvey's birthday. If you like, check out one of his speech's on the official Marcus Garvey site. If you like to get crunk, today is my baby brother's birthd...

When I was in undergrad at Loyola University Chicago, I volunteered for an organization that I really loved called Insight Arts, and I really felt like Craig Harshaw and many folks who worked with him...

One of my earliest music memories is tied to sitting on my parents' living room floor is seeing the LPs spread out in front of the 8 track player, turntable and a pair of tall speakers. Three of the ...

I couldn't resist. I had to share this sweetness with you in hopes that it won't get yanked offline. I found this courtesy of poet Patrick Rosal.Just wanted to share a few tidbits too:Fela!: The Musi...

I wanted to write a blog that would do this powerful and sassy woman justice, but we had only emailed each other a couple of times. I know that she was one of the oldest fellows of Cave Canem and was...

One of the things that I wanted to address is not only related to writing, but what are the issues of our time and looking at how pop culture fuels and sometimes demeans our humanity. So, I do reach ...

I want to try to do a month of posts again starting in August or September since July got a little out of control. If you guys have the time, you may want to check out the New York Public Library rea...

So, I've been up at Soul Mountain, the writer's retreat house by the generous and amazing poet Marilyn Nelson, and it's one of the best things that I could have done for my little poet soul. Aside fr...

I saw this and was a little amused, to say the least. I clearly have a black daddy according to this computer application, and I might be a touch Asian. I know the jokes are coming.MyHeritage: Celeb...

OK, I know I'm long overdue to write, but I'm getting some elements of my life in order before I do a residency at Soul Mountain. As a form of penance, I offer three calls for submissions. Thanks fo...

My friend Tayari posted some new writing as a wordle on her blog. If you have not tried this, you should just to see what happens. Much fun to be had there.Here's the text from my poem "A Mixed Mess...

There is a creeping force that is saying diverse thought has to become safe thought. One of these instances is the case of Karen Salazar. She was teaching at Jordan High School in Los Angeles with f...

Hey, I know that I have been remiss in writing much these days, partially because I've been doing assorted stuff like de-papering my nest, but some fun stuff too. Tayari Jones, Kamilah Aisha Moon and...

If you saw the recent episode of "Bill Moyers Journal" then you saw the real conversation on history and liberation theology between Moyers and Wright BEFORE the National Press Club engagement that ha...

What have I been up to? Reading to young people numbed on the periphery.Hunched over frustrated with 51-bullet justified verdict.Nodding in recognition of what liberation theology does.Wondering why ...